Crystal Palace meet KuPS in a must-win final league phase showdown in 2025-26 UEFA Conference League.
Victory could see Palace secure a top-eight finish and a pass to the Round of 16 if results elsewhere go in their favour.
KuPS meanwhile need a win to qualify for the knockout play-offs, although a draw could be enough if results elsewhere go in their favour.
Team News
Daichi Kamada is ruled out for Palace after he suffered a hamstring injury during their 3-0 Premier League defeat against Manchester City.
Ismaila Sarr is away on international duty with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Cheick Doucoure, Chadi Riad, Daniel Munoz (all knee), Rio Cardines (adductor) and Caleb Kporha (back) remain absent.
KuPS have no fresh injury concerns to report coming into this match.
When is Kick-Off?
Palace host KuPS at Selhurst Park on Thursday 18 December at 8pm GMT, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Palace’s first meeting against KuPS in all UEFA competitions.
- KuPS are making their first-ever visit to Palace across all competitions.
- Palace have kept two clean sheets in the league phase (W3, L2).
- KuPS are facing English opposition for the first time in all UEFA competitions.
Prediction
With rotation considered his priority at the minute, it will be interesting to see how Oliver Glasner approaches this game but I personally would go near full strength here in the first half then substitute key players at half time if comfortably in the lead at half time.
KuPS though are an unknown quantity but they failed to score away from home in the league phase so far with inconsistent results, but they will certainly pose difficult opposition defensively to break down.
I however do think that if Palace are much more polished in their finishing than they were against Man City, this should be an easy win if they execute their final touches.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-0 KuPS
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